Formula 1 News: Lawson to partner Max Verstappen in 2025
As we reported as ‘fact’ in this rumor yesterday, Oracle Red Bull Racing announced today that Liam Lawson will complete the Team’s driver line-up for the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship, moving across from Visa Cash App Racing Bulls to partner four-time World Champion Max Verstappen.
New Zealand native Liam joined the Red Bull Junior Program in 2019 and after multiple junior formula successes made his Formula One debut with Scuderia AlphaTauri at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, in place of the injured Daniel Ricciardo.
He scored his first championship points in just his second outing at the Singapore GP and completed five races in all for the team.
After taking up his Reserve Driver role with both teams at the start of 2024, Liam returned to Grand Prix racing with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls with a points-scoring finish at this year’s United States Grand Prix.
Now, after completing the season with VCARB the 22-year-old takes the next step in his career with a seat at Oracle Red Bull Racing.
“To be announced as an Oracle Red Bull Racing Driver is a lifelong dream for me, this is something I’ve wanted and worked towards since I was eight years old,” Liam Lawson said.
“It’s been an incredible journey so far. I want to say a massive thank you to the whole team at VCARB for their support, the last six races have played a huge part in my preparation for this next step.
“I also want to thank, Christian, Helmut and the whole Red Bull family for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I am super excited to work alongside Max and learn from a World Champion, I have no doubt I will learn from his expertise. I can’t wait to get going!”
“I’m delighted to announce that Liam Lawson will join the Team in 2025,” added Christian Horner, Team Principal and CEO of Oracle Red Bull Racing.
“Liam’s performances over the course of his two stints with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls have demonstrated that he’s not only capable of delivering strong results but that he’s also a real racer, not afraid to mix it with the best and come out on top.
“His arrival continues the Team’s long history of promoting from within the Red Bull Junior Program and he follows in the footsteps of championship and race-winning drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and of course, Max Verstappen.
“There’s no doubt that racing alongside Max, a four-time champion and undoubtedly one of the greatest drivers ever seen in F1, is a daunting task, but I’m sure Liam can rise to that challenge and deliver some outstanding results for us next year.”
Last Updated December 19, 2024
2025 AutoRacing1.com F1 Silly Season Table | ||||||
Team | Engine | No. | Driver | Nat. | Rating | Comments |
Audi Sauber | Ferrari | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Germany | Fact | Signed thru 2026 |
TBD | Gabriel Bortoleto | Brazil | Fact | Signed thru 2026 | ||
Alpine F1 Team | Renault | 10 | Pierre Gasly | France | Fact | Signed thru 2026 |
61 | Jack Doohan | Australia | Fact | Signed thru 2025 | ||
Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team | Mercedes | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Spain | Fact | Signed thru 2026 |
18 | Lance Stroll | Canada | Fact | Daddy owns the team | ||
Ferrari | Ferrari | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Monaco | Fact | Signed thru 2028 |
44 | Lewis Hamilton | England | Fact | Signed thru 2026 | ||
Moneygram Haas F1 Team | Ferrari | 31 | Esteban Ocon | France | Fact | Signed multi-Year |
87 | Oliver Bearman | England | Fact | Signed | ||
McLaren F1 Team | Mercedes | 4 | Lando Norris | England | Fact | Signed thru 2027 |
81 | Oscar Piastri | Australia | Fact | Signed thru 2027 | ||
Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team | Mercedes | 12 | Kimi Antonelli | Italy | Fact | Signed thru 2025 |
63 | George Russell | England | Fact | Signed thru 2025 | ||
Red Bull Racing | Honda | 1 | Max Verstappen | Netherlands | Fact | Signed thru 2028 |
30 | Liam Lawson | Australia | Fact | Signed thru 2025 | ||
Visa Cash App RB | Honda | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Japan | Fact | Signed thru 2025 |
37 | Isack Hadjar | France | Strong | To be announced soon | ||
Williams Racing | Mercedes | 23 | Alex Albon | Thailand | Fact | Signed |
55 | Carlos Sainz Jr | Spain | Fact | Signed |